There has been a lot of talk recently about styled shoots and the purpose behind them. There is talk that they are self-indulgent and a wast of time, I have to disagree! Styled shoots are a great way of showcasing new wedding trends and a great way to show off suppliers talents in areas they may not normally be able to venture. They are there to inspire couples and show them how to create something new and innovative for their wedding day, so proving that they can break the mold if they want to.

Todays shoot fits into that bracket perfectly. Titled ‘The Anti Bride’ it’s not just showing off ideas for ideas sake it has it’s own story line!

The shoot itslef all came about through Joyce Connor from Brides and Beauty who is a make up artist has always been a massive fan of the Hammer House of Horror and B movies anything Gothic, Edwardian and quirky.

A couple of years ago while thinking about all the weddings she done she wanted to see what a different wedding would look like. Not every bride wants a traditional white wedding so Joyce put pen to paper and wrote a short story! Then while having coffee with Georgina of Ruby weddings Joyce told Georgina her idea and the shoot was born. When approaching suppliers to contribute to the shoot they asked Choccywoccydoodah to make the cake and they loved the story so much that they asked if they could film it as part of their TV series on The Good Food Channel.

The Antbride – A tale of love and heartbreak!
It’s the morning of Ophelia’s wedding everything is arranged. Her dress has arrived she is nervous but excited. She checks that everything is as it should be. Her dress men arrive to help her get ready. She is wearing a dark red dress and the 2 men dress her tie her purple Dr Marten boots.

The Groom, Raven holds a deep dark secret. Although he loves Ophelia very much he puts every woman he meets under his spell. He a tall handsome man so what woman could resist his charm. Little does Ophelia know that the 2 bridesmaids have already fallen under his spell. The girls find him attractive but they have no idea that Raven is not only cheating on Ophelia but he is also cheating on the two of them.

One bridesmaid lies on the bed while Raven crawls towards her, she has really fallen for him. While she sleeps Raven kisses the other bridesmaid who now knows the truth but can’t resist him. Raven is a good man but he can’t help being the way he is.

The bride leaves the castle bedroom with the bridesmaids and the butlers (her dressing men) to walk to the ceremony room where Raven greets his new bride Ophelia.

They all sit down for a meal after the ceremony. They drink wine and celebrate.

Shortly after the truth comes out. Ophelia is angry and decides to smash the cake to pieces. She soon chases after the rest of the bridal with her axe. She finds them at the castle ruins already fighting among themselves.

I’d get married for a cake like that. That was impressive. I wouldn’t have minded a go on that BEAUTY.
I think it’s about time that someone set up a magazine devoted entirely to Jackie style photo-stories of wedding shoots like this.
Then we’d all have loads more shoots to do. That would be awesome…
Photoshoots are fun. They probably do serve some worthy purpose, but for me it’s just one of the perks of working in wedding world. We sacrifice our Saturdays to give our couples the perfect wedding so it’s only right and proper that we should get to lark about with lots of cake and show off.
I think the people that beef about it are just miffed because they don’t do enough of them…
Right, anyone need a sexy wedding car and a kick ass chauffeur bird for their next photo shoot featuring massive cakes? There are several windows in my diary.

Kelly- After the shoot everyone got a ‘slice’ of cake and a couple of the chocolate adornments. The ‘slice’ was bigger than your average entire cake… it lasted forever! We discovered that when it starts to dry out a little, you can pop it in the microwave for a few seconds with a chocolate lily on top and watch the chocolate seep into the sponge and run down the sides- THE BEST WAY TO EAT CAKE EVER! Drooling?!

Well….this shoot is one of the most original and different shoots I have seen in a very long time, it is insanely gorgeous, Joyce your wonderful ideas and the hours of planning and preparation paid off…you all must be very proud…I wish I had been part of it too…M.A.G.N.I.F.I.C.E.N.T XXXXXXXXX

I have been waiting for ages to see these images after hearing all about it from a very excited Joyce. It has been worth the wait, a fab idea really well executed and clearly all the hard work paid off. Huge congrats to Joyce for putting together such a great story of ideas and for the whole team for all the work they have put in. Great shoot x

Wow Wow Wow what a fantastic shoot, absolutley love it, my kind of wedding, all dark and gothic, stunning hair and make up, fantastic photos, beautifully written story, what more can I say, its just amazing, well done to you all. More of this please xxxx

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